Job Title: Principal Mechanical Engineer
Location: Devonport, Plymouth, Rosyth, Fife, Bristol
Compensation: £56, - £69,
Role Type: Full time / Permanent
Role ID: SF
Shape the Future of Naval Engineering – Join Us as a Principal Mechanical Engineer
About Us
At Babcock, we’re working to create a safe and secure world, together. If you join us, you can play your part as a Principal Mechanical Engineer at one of our Babcock sites.
The role
As a Principal Mechanical Engineer, you’ll have a role that’s out of the ordinary. You will lead the technical aspects of power and propulsion system design from conceptual design through integration to construction and in-service support. This is your chance to work on complex mechanical systems integration, delivering innovative engineering solutions within a multidisciplinary team that includes Naval Architecture, Marine Structures, and Safety Engineering.
You’ll join a forward-thinking, agile environment that fosters professional growth and career progression. This role offers the opportunity to lead impactful engineering work while developing your expertise within a supportive and dynamic team.
Day-to-day, you’ll have the following responsibilities:
1. Lead and support the Power and Propulsion engineering team, providing technical direction and design oversight.
2. Oversee delivery of complex technical solutions and act as a key point of contact for customers.
3. Provide engineering support to new ship build projects and in-service programs, including Type 31 Frigate and Arrowhead.
4. Produce and manage technical documentation, ensuring compliance with codes and standards.
5. Mentor others and drive continuous improvement across projects.
This role is full time and provides hybrid working arrangements with 2 days in the office/onsite and 3 days working from home.
Essential experience of the Principal Mechanical Engineer:
6. Significant experience in naval or marine engineering projects, with deep knowledge of power and propulsion systems.
7. Expertise in producing, reviewing, and approving detailed engineering outputs.
8. Skilled in applying relevant procedures, codes, and classification society standards.
9. Familiarity with systems analysis tools and CAD software (2D/3D).
Qualifications for the Principal Mechanical Engineer:
10. Degree in Marine, Mechanical, or a related engineering discipline (Master’s desirable).
11. Chartered Engineer status and membership of a relevant professional institution (e.g., RINA, IMechE, IMarEst, IET).
Security Clearance
The successful candidate must be able to achieve and maintain Security Check (SC) security clearance for this role.
Many of the positions within our company are subject to national security clearance and Trade Control restrictions. This means that your eligibility for certain roles may be affected by your place of birth, nationality, current or former citizenship, and any residency you hold or have held. Further details are available at .
What we offer
12. Generous holiday allowance
13. Matched contribution pension scheme, with life assurance
14. Access to a Digital GP, annual health check, and nutritional consultations through Aviva DigiCare+
15. Employee share scheme
16. Employee shopping savings portal
17. Payment of Professional Fees
18. Reservists in the armed forces receive 10-days special paid leave
19. Holiday Trading is a benefit that allows UK Babcock employees to buy additional leave or to sell up to one working week of annual leave from their annual entitlement. This Window opens February through to March annually.
20. ‘Be Kind Day’ enables employees to take one working day's paid leave a year (or equivalent hours) to undertake volunteering work with their chosen organisation or registered charity
21. Excellent development opportunities and benefits package including an employee assistance programme supporting physical, mental and financial wellbeing.